Canvas Basics
The canvas is the main editing surface in OpenFlowKit. It is optimized for desktop and larger-tablet workflows, with direct manipulation on the graph and exact edits in the side rails.
When to use the canvas
Section titled “When to use the canvas”Use the canvas when you want to:
- sketch a diagram manually
- refine something created by AI, imports, or code
- inspect structure spatially instead of as text
- move quickly between direct manipulation and inspector-based editing
Navigation
Section titled “Navigation”Pan and zoom
Section titled “Pan and zoom”- Mouse wheel zooms the canvas
Space + DragpansHswitches to hand modeVswitches back to selection modeShift + 1fits the current graph in viewCmd/Ctrl + +/-zooms in or out
Move around large diagrams
Section titled “Move around large diagrams”For large canvases, combine:
- fit view to regain context
- search from the Command Center to jump to named nodes
- auto layout to re-establish readable structure
Selecting things
Section titled “Selecting things”Single selection
Section titled “Single selection”Click any node or edge to inspect and edit it.
Multi-selection
Section titled “Multi-selection”Use either of these:
Shift + ClickShift + Dragto draw a selection box
When multiple nodes are selected, the right rail switches to Bulk edit mode.
Direct manipulation vs exact editing
Section titled “Direct manipulation vs exact editing”The canvas is where you move, select, and compose the graph. For exact values and family-specific settings, switch to the Properties Panel. For templates, search, layout, and workflow switching, use the Command Center.
History and recovery
Section titled “History and recovery”Use regular undo/redo for short corrections and snapshots for larger rollback points. See Playback & History.